Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic had talks today via video-link with Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Stefano Sannino.

The Head of Serbian diplomacy said that reforms remained the focus of the Serbian Government, with a special emphasis on the rule of law, but he pointed out that the significant progress Serbia achieved in the reform process was not accompanied by the adequate dynamic of accession negotiations with the EU.

Selakovic reminded that no negotiating chapters were opened last year and asked for support and that readiness be shown on the part of the EU as well for continuation of the process, pointing out that Serbia was at the moment ready to open five chapters for which it had submitted negotiating positions.

According to the Minister, aiming to promote and accelerate the accession process, Serbia accepted the new methodology, expecting to receive clarifications soon from the European Commission on its application in the negotiation process.

Serbia is grateful to the EU for its support in the field of structural reforms and economic measures, as well as for the investments from the EU and its Member States, Minister Selakovic said and called on the EU to continue implementing the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, which would encourage further economic growth. He stressed that Serbia attached great importance to regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and aspired full EU integration.

Furthermore, the Serbian Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the EU for assistance and cooperation during the pandemic.

Welcoming the appointment of Mr. Sannino as Secretary General of the European External Action Service, Selakovic expressed his belief that this would further enhance the already good cooperation with that institution, with which he regularly held bilateral and regional political consultations. He thanked for the invitation for a visit to Brussels extended by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and expressed the expectation that the visit would be realized in the nearest future.

Speaking about the relations with Pristina, Minister Selakovic stressed that Serbia was committed to a dialogue aimed at a sustainable compromise solution, emphasizing that Belgrade had fulfilled its obligations under the Brussels Agreement, but also that, on the other hand, almost eight years after reaching the agreement, the Community of Serbian Municipalities was not yet established.

The Minister pointed out that the dialogue was characterized by a lack of trust, and that the statements referring to the so-called Greater Albania, heard from the winners of the elections in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the absence of the EU's reaction to that, did not contribute to building trust.

Selakovic also said that Belgrade supported the work done by EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák, and that it was ready to cooperate with all actors from the international community who can help resolve the open issues with Pristina, while, as he emphasized, as far as Belgrade was concerned, Brussels remained the central place for dialogue.

Belgrade, 25 February 2021